Thanks to those who helped with veterans’ picnic
0One of the objectives of Kiwanis is to build better communities. The Kiwanis Club of Chester has been working diligently toward that objective, and we have been assisted with many from our area to help us meet that goal. Over the past three years we have strived to recognize our military veterans. WWII veterans in 2015 and Korean War veterans in 2016 were invited to dinners provided by Sibley & Son. In 2017 our long-neglected Vietnam-era veterans were treated to a picnic-style dinner provided by King’s Korner Catering at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, where the exhibition building was renamed the…
Help needed for man whose house burned
0Many in the Bruce Farms subdivision in Chester have expressed a desire to help a neighbor rebuild after an electrical fire destroyed his home at 4617 Bruce Road in the early morning hours May 18. The structural damage has been estimated at approximately $120,000. There is no insurance to help with the rebuild. The American Red Cross has provided temporary shelter for the homeowner at a local hotel. The Bruce Farms community would like to invite you to join us by demonstrating your compassion and support. Individually we may help a little, but acting as a community we can do…
Child advocacy center opens in Chester
1It was a long time coming, but retired judge Bonnie Davis was able to see her dream come true. Davis – who was a juvenile and domestic relations court judge in Chesterfield for 20 years – got the idea to start a child advocacy center in 1985 while attending a conference as a prosecuting attorney. The dream was realized when Chesterfield opened such a facility Jan. 30 at 12204 Iron Bridge Road. The center serves as a one-stop shop of sorts for children and parents in abusive situations. Having such a center in Chesterfield is more efficient and means that…
First lady helps with environmental education
0CHESTER – Pam Northam, the governor’s wife, came to town last week to help teach some youngsters about the importance of a healthy environment. Organized by the Virginia Conservation Network and National Wildlife Federation, the fun, educational event featured activities that taught important lessons on how water, air, land, and animals are impacted by climate change. Children colored pictures of animals impacted by climate change and listened while a book about the importance of protecting oceans was read. “The earlier we begin teaching our little ones about the importance of caring for their environment, the easier it will be for…
FOLAR gets $100K challenge grant
0PETERSBURG — Friends of the Lower Appomattox River recently received a one-year $100,000 challenge grant from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. The grant will match dollar-for-dollar all new private donations and grants from supporters who contribute to building the Appomattox River Trail section through Patton Park and historic Petersburg. “Whether it’s restoring the river shoreline, providing high quality environmental educational opportunities to thousands of young people, or bringing a world-class riverside trail to our region, everything that FOLAR does is made possible by our supporters,” said Ken Newman, chair of the group’s board of directors. The grant from the Foundation…
Event encourages students to read during the summer
0Trying to help avert a “summer slide” was the driving force behind last week’s first-ever Summer Reading Palooza. The event, which was organized by three librarians at Carver Middle School, drew students from 13 local schools. Stephanie Stargardt, head librarian at Carver, said the event was organized to get “our feeder pattern schools together … to celebrate literacy and promote our summer reading programs.” Students played games, and three authors donated signed copies of their books, she said. The Chesterfield County Public Library sent two staffers to support the event, Stargardt said. She added that the Chester and Enon libraries…
High-speed rail slowly coming to area?
0A decision on where to build a new train station for high-speed rail is headed down the track but hasn’t reached the destination yet. “The final decision hasn’t been made yet,” said David Hyder, transportation director of the Crater Planning District Commission. He added that “it looks like” the proverbial train is headed to Colonial Heights. The Federal Railroad Administration has the final say on the matter, he said. “Whatever the FRA signs off on, we’ll sign,” he said. The selection would be made at some point following the release of a Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI. Officials…
English teacher uses literature to help teach social skills
0Brian McGill knew he wanted to become a teacher when he was a sophomore in high school. When he was going through difficult times he had influential teachers who were there for him, and he wanted to “pay it forward” by becoming a teacher. In addition, he felt he could relate to kids well. McGill has been teaching English for 22 years. He taught in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey before coming to Virginia. He spent the first 12 years of his career teaching Advanced Placement Literature in high school, but switched to middle school when he moved to…